FSU baseball falls to Florida in late-game collapse

Once again the Florida Gators (19-4, 2-1) topped the Florida State Seminoles (12-9, 3-3) 9-5. FSU had a late lead but couldn’t hold onto against the barrage of hitters that Florida brought. At the plate FSU looked good early but had no response for anybody but the Florida starter. The difference in talent was just too much.

Florida State got exactly what it wanted from started Ben Barrett. The freshman pitched four innings of one run, four hit ball without walking a batter. Barrett’s success at the plate has made it’s way over to the mound as he’s now had two, good multi-inning appearances. If Barrett can keep this up he’ll be a very big piece on the FSU club both at the plate and on the mound.

FSU struck first in the second inning on a Cam Smith double followed by a Nander DeSeda double two batters later. The ‘Noles were able to tack on another with a ground out off the bat of Colton Vincent. Florida tried to turn two on the play but committed an error going to first.

UF struck back in the fourth mimicking FSU’s second inning and using a couple of doubles to plate a run. In the bottom of the inning the Seminoles took a four run lead on a Jaimie Ferrer bases clearing double. DeAmaz Ross, getting the start in center field, was able to just barely slide in under the throw at home.

A major issue with FSU pitching was the lack of competitive pitches. In his four innings Barrett didn’t walk a batter and only went to a three ball count once but in the next five innings FSU walked six and too often had pitches that weren’t even close putting them in bad counts. In the eighth the damn finally burst for FSU. Jaimie Arnold gave up a bloop single followed by a high chopper over his head and a walk to load the bases with one out. Link Jarrett brought in Jackson Baumeister in to try and keep the lead but four singles later, another just over the pitcher’s head, and FSU was down 9-5 and the game was over.

Florida State Seminoles baseball, after losing a two-game midweek series to UCF and failing to secure a series win vs. the Boston College Eagles, will look to bounce back in a major way tonight at home vs. the Florida Gators.

FSU started off the year 7-1 but now finds itself at 12-8 (3-3 ACC) after struggles against FGCU, UCF and Boston College.

No. 3 Florida (18-4, 2-1 SEC) has already won two top 25 series this season — vs. No. 20 Miami to kick off the month and this past weekend vs. No. 25 Alabama.

It’s the first matchup between the two schools this season and the first of Link Jarrett’s head coaching career with the Seminoles.

Florida State vs Florida How to watch, starting pitchers

Tuesday 5:00 PM

Watch: ACC Network Extra

Listen: Seminoles Radio Network

FSU: RHP Ben Barrett (0-0, 3.18 ERA)

Florida: RHP Tyler Nesbitt (1-0, 1.17 ERA)